Easter basket gifts for kids

Forget chocolate bunnies and jelly beans. If you are tired of the same old stuff, why not fill this year's Easter baskets with fun, spring-themed toys and books?

"The Easter Bunny has many favorites other than sweets and treats," said Laurie Schacht, who lives in Woodmere and is co-publisher of "The Toy Insider," a consumer guide for parents. "A little sugar is OK, but fill the baskets with toys and books that keep kids engaged. Mix it up with their favorite characters, toys that teach and classic creative play items."

Take a look at our fun suggestions for the Easter basket this year.

Disney Tsum Tsum Series

(Credit: JAKKS)

Kids can collect, stack and display their favorite Disney Tsum Tsum characters. Each collectible set includes three large, three medium and three small figures, of which two are exclusive characters only found in the 9-Pack -- and one is a mystery; $14.99 for 9-Pack, there's also a 3-Pack available for $4.99 at toysrus.com.

PEEPS Rainbow Plush Bunny

(Credit: Peeps & Company)

This rainbow shaggy plush stands 15 inches tall. It's cuddly and colorful, making it a perfect edition to any Easter basket; $19.99 at peepsandcompany.com.

Skylanders SuperChargers: Eggcited Thrillipede

(Credit: Activision)

Thrillipede is the reigning Dragon Egg Toss Champion and he's eager to show everyone his skills. So much so that he's agreed to enter a competition with one hand tied behind his back; $12.99 at toysrus.com.

Shopkins Series 4 Surprise Egg

(Credit: Moose Toys)

Perfect for the Easter basket, the Shopkins Surprise Eggs feature two Shopkins inside. You may find the fluffy Limited Edition Rair Pair; available in a variety of colors; $10.45 at walmart.com.

Crayola My Way Boxes

(Credit: Crayola)

You can personalize boxes of Crayola crayons with images and names, and choose the color crayons you want on the inside. For Easter delivery, orders must be placed by March 20; $4.99 for an 8-count box, $24.99 or $29.99 for a 64-count box at crayola.com.

The Lion Guard Collectible Figure Set

(Credit: Just Play)

This collectible figure set from Disney Junior's "The Lion Guard" includes Kion, Bunga, Beshte, Fuli and Ono; $13.99 at toysrus.com.

Girls Easter Hair Clip 4-Pack

(Credit: Children's Place)

This set of clips includes two chicks in eggs and two Easter egg clips; $4.95 at childrensplace.com.

Kaloo Les Amis Chick

Irish Fairy Door

(Credit: Irish Fairy Door Company)

Pick a special place to put your Irish Fairy Door and leave the magic key beside it. If the magic key is gone in the morning, your fairy has arrived. If kids behave, the fairies may leave little presents here and there; $19.99 at irishfairydoorcompany.com/us.

Surprizamals

(Credit: Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Compan)

Pop open Surprizamals from the Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company and cute, collectible animals pop out. There are 12 characters, including Hailey the Horse, Mango the Monkey and Gemma the Unicorn; $2.99 to $4.99 at surprizamals.com.

Disney Pricness Little Kingdom Small Doll Collection

Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens Color & Activity Bundle

(Credit: Kohl's)

This Star Wars activity set comes with the Ultimate Activity Book with two full-color posters and stickers, a Color & Activity Book with four jumbo crayons and stickers as well as a Color & Trace Book featuring stickers and tracing pages; $13.99 at kohls.com.

Furreal Friends Luvimals Lamb

(Credit: Hasbro)

These palm-size pets are perfect editions to Easter baskets. Choose from Cottonball the lamb (pictured), Flappers the duck or C.L. Ribbit the frog. Press their back or belly and they'll respond with movement and sounds; $9.99 at HasbroToyShop.com.

Shakin Eggs

(Credit: HABA)

Shake things up and help develop your child's musical abilities with these brightly colored eggs that make different noises; $19.99 at habausa.com.

Fashion Angels Chox'd Chalkboard Sunglasses

Draw your own designs to create a custom pair of sunglasses. The set comes with sunglasses, chalk makers and puffy stickers; $14.99 at kohls.com.

Some Bunny Loves You Shirt

(Credit: Children's Place)

This cotton T-shirt features "Some Bunny Loves You" along with a bunny screenprint on the front. Available in sizes 6-9 months to 5T; $4 at childrensplace.com.

Squawkin' Egg Droppin' Mama Hen

(Credit: Hallmark)

This interactive Easter plush hen lays eggs as she sings a parody of "Whoomp! There It Is;" $34.95 at hallmark.com.

Bunny Garden Mister

(Credit: HearthSong)

Kids will love watering flowers with the Bunny Garden Mister. Choose from blue, green or magenta; $14.95 at hearthsong.com.

Egg Drop Kit

(Credit: Great Explorations)

Kids ages 7 and older can learn about motion, force and energy transfers as they experiment on an egg. The set includes a plastic practice egg, one crepe paper roll, one balloon, two cloth pieces, two hanging file folders, six straws and pipe cleaners, one roll of tape, three plastic bags and more; $27.99 at kohls.com.

Candylicious Bubbles

(Credit: Little Kids Inc.)

Candylicious Bubbles from Little Kids Inc. combines two of kids' favorite things: bubbles and candy. Kids can blow them, catch them and eat them. They come in four flavors: cherry, grape, bubble gum and tutti frutti; $12.99 for bubble machine and $2.99 for bubbles at target.com.

Go! Go! Smart Animals

(Credit: VTech)

Go! Go! Smart Animals-Furry Animals Assortment from VTech, when placed on Go! Go! SmartPoint locations, respond with different phrases. Caroline is a cat, Dawn is a Dalmatian, Richard is a rabbit and Debbie is a Labradoodle. Press each of their light-up buttons to hear three sing-along songs. Push the animals to hear fun sounds and six melodies. While a melody is playing, push them again to add fun sounds on top of the melody. Suggested retail price $9.99, for ages 1 to 5, available spring 2016.

Egg Candles in an Egg Crate

(Credit: Papyrus)

This candle set includes six colorful egg-shaped candles, decorated to resemble Easter eggs; $12.95 at papyrusonilne.com.

Play-Doh Spring Chick

(Credit: Hasbro)

Grow and style feathers on this baby chick by loading Play-Doh into the thimble and pressing down on the plunger. You can give the chick a haircut, too. The set comes with a baby chick thimble, plunger, scissors and two cans of Play-Doh; $4.99 at hasbrotoyshop.com.

All About the Eggs Interactive Stuffed Bunny

(Credit: Hallmark)

This spring-themed bunny sings a parody of "All About That Bass" (All About the Eggs) as he dances around; $32.95 at hallmark.com.

Pusheen Easter Bunny

With more than 9 million Facebook fans, Pusheen, a chubby gray tabby cat, is sporting bunny ears and a white cotton tail; $25 at gund.com.

Bunny Chalk

(Credit: Papyrus)

This fun, bunny-shaped chalk comes with one red, yellow and blue bunny; $4.95 at papyrusonline.com.

Wind-Up Hopping Eggs

(Credit: HearthSong)

Wind up these colorful, plastic eggs and watch them hop all over. Comes in a set of eight; $14.98 at hearthsong.com.

Canine Companions

(Credit: Melissa and Doug)

This 12-piece set features felt-covered miniature models of popular dog breeds including a Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Saint Bernard, Husky and more. Information on all the breeds is also included; $19.99 at melissaanddoug.com.

Singing Brown Bunny Plush

(Credit: Papyrus)

Press this brown plush bunny's foot and he sings "If You're Happy and You Know It" while clapping his hands; $29.95 at papyrusonline.com.

Baby Bunny Rattle

Designed to fit perfectly in a baby's hand, this soft bunny rattle is the perfect way to celebrate his or her first Easter; $8.95 at hallmark.com.

PEEPS Toddler Trade My T-Shirt

(Credit: PEEPS)

Available in blue and pink, these toddler shirts come with the saying "Will trade my sister (or brother)" with an image of PEEP; $12.99 at peepsandcompany.com.

Hide & Go Beeps

(Credit: Build-A-Bear Workshop)

Parents can play a game Easter morning with the Hide & Go Beeps from Build-A-Bear Workshop. Simply squeeze the furry friend to start the beep, hide it and have the kids follow the sound to find them. Available in a bunny or chick in multiple colors; $8 each at buildabear.com.

T-Sprints

(Credit: Playmates Toys)

The T-Sprints new figure and wheels include Lickety Split Leo with Shellraiser, Mad Motion Mikey with Party Van, Rapid Assault Ralph with Stealth Bike, Dasher Donnie with Patrol Buggy and Supersonic Shredder with Shreddermobile. The sets feature a unique flywheel so kids can rev them up, drop the figure into the vehicle shell and race into action; $4.99 at toysrus.com.

The Lion Guard Talking Plush

The Kion talking, light-up plush from Disney Junior's "The Lion Guard" features the Mark of the Guard emblem and when pressed, he lets out a roar. There is also a talking Bunga plush sold separately; $19.99 at toysrus.com.

Roly Poly Duck

(Credit: HABA)

When nudged, the Roly Poly duck jingles and the plastic base allows the toy to wobble around the floor without falling over; $14.99 at habausa.com.